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in my mouth.
      "I’ll gladly buy you beautiful undergarments every week if you let me rip them off your delectable body." He shot a crooked grin at me.
      "Pervy panty collector," I mumbled.
      He turned his head and the corners of his mouth lifted in an amused grin. "Pervy panty collector, huh? I kind of like that…" his voice trailed off as mirth danced in his steely blue eyes.
      "God, you would Carter." I rolled my eyes as I took another bite.

Six

      Thursday night I stayed at Carter's and the next morning he went into work. I had distracted myself all week with work and as a result I had submitted a few articles early, so I had all day Friday to myself. I lounged in his beautiful townhouse, our townhouse as Carter kept insisting, before leaving to run errands and hit Newbury Street for some shopping. 
      I was sifting through a rack of clothes in the back of a new boutique when I heard a conversation from a dressing room. Just as I started to move away, a certain name hit my ears that piqued my interest. 
      "He's just using her. Carter Morgan doesn't do relationships. Her hold over him will expire and then he'll be back. He always comes back." 
      My mouth dropped open and a few angry tears pooled in my eyes. It was Nikki. It had to be. I knew Madeleine’s voice and it definitely wasn't her. My heart thudded in my ears as I wondered what to do. I wanted to run. I glanced at the door, counting the steps until I could be out of the store but my brain had ceased to function. My feet were cemented to the floor. 
      "Are you okay, Miss?" A sales associate passed me with a concerned glance. I nodded slowly, but could tell I didn't look it by her expression. I clenched my fists as my brain turned hazy. Just then Nikki and her companion walked out of the dressing rooms. She glanced at me and her eyes flickered in recognition. 
      Of course she knew who I was. A picture of Carter and me had hit the gossip blogs the morning after the gala. 
      A snide grin spread across her face. She knew I’d overheard. 
      "Evangeline Austin." She gave me a wide smile. Her companion's eyes flicked to mine with the same grin spread across her face. 
      "Nice to finally meet you." Her tone dripped with sarcasm. "I didn't realize you could afford to shop on Newbury, or are you shopping here on Carter's account? He likes his girls to look the part.” She smiled as she made a point of looking me up and down. I suddenly felt dowdy next to the long-legged, thin as a rail, Russian beauty standing next to me. Why hadn't I worn heels today of all days? Because I didn't typically wear heels unless it was a special occasion. Nonetheless I cursed myself for not making the effort to look as gorgeous as she did on any given day. 
      My brain suddenly decided to cooperate and I sucked in a deep breath to give me strength. 
      "I’m not using Carter's account."
      "Oh?" Her eyes shot up. "Your expiration date must be sooner than I thought then." She grinned at me as she proceeded to the counter to pay for her purchases. 
      "Nikki?" 
      She turned on her heel with an interested look. 
      "I think your expiration date has long been up. Carter told me he was only one in a long line of men you bedded for the photo op. But I'll tell him you said hi." 
      "You bitch. You're not good enough for Carter. Don't think you mean anything more to him than any of the other whores he's been with." Her eyes shot daggers into me. 
      "Is that why he gave me this?" I lifted my right hand and fingered the glistening stone. Her eyes flicked to it and widened. "And why he asked me to marry him? And then flew me to Aspen and did just that?" I shot her a ruthless grin and then walked out of the store and on to Newbury Street. 
      My heart pounded in and out of my chest as I continued to walk, tears blurring my vision. I had to get off this street before Nikki walked out and caught me in her crosshairs again. I darted into a coffee shop